How Do You Measure Success As A Writer?

Like… seriously?

Does anyone ever feel established after their first publication in a literary journal, their first short story collection, their first novel? Do you ever get to finally feel like a “real” writer?

One of the writers I know was commenting on their socials about not feeling like an emerging writer anymore and I responded about how I feel like I am always emerging. I always feel like a newb even though I have been actively writing and publishing for about ten years now (that’s just crazy to me).

At the same time, I do feel the years of my writing and the experiences and community that I have gained. I guess it’s kind of that Schrodinger thing - if I don’t open the box, I can live in that liminal space of not knowing - maybe that analogy/metaphor doesn’t work for this situation but hopefully you understand what I mean.

So, that’s what has been on my mind this week. Just a little writer’s life existentialism on top of all the crazy that’s going on in the world.

Sending light, love and creativity to you all.

PS: Oh! Don’t forget I’m judging Fractured Lit’s Ghost, Fable, and Fairy Tales Prize - it closes on April 19!